Key West Trip & Half Marathon

Living in Florida, it is inevitable to go to Key West at least once in your lifetime. It all begin when my older sister and I decided to run yet another half marathon.

After some research, we were drawn to the idea of running the Southernmost Half Marathon, in well, southernmost Florida. We had run two marathons prior to this and a few half marathons in different cities. However, vacay mode hit us hard! We didn’t train as much as we would have liked to but it was fun nonetheless. The scenery throughout the course was beautiful. At one point we saw the sun rising on the horizon on top of the ocean. It was breathtaking (pun intended). It was a good distraction from the fact that I was running out of breath from not having trained as well as I’d like to. But my sister and I made a point to just make this race about enjoying the views and having as much fun as we could along the way. We ran past some really cute shops painted white or other pastel tones. The whole city of Key West is so quaint and special. For living in Florida for quite some time, there’s nothing like Key West. It’s its own little world. I definitely don’t regret running this half marathon. The finish line is always so rewarding (including the bottle-opener medal we got!).

Aside from the race, our stay at Parrot Key Hotel & Resort made this trip even more special. The rooms have balconies overlooking four pools, lush palm trees, and even a secret little garden my sister and I found. The first thing we did after we got back from the race was head to the pool and just relax. Of course we also ordered delicious frozen smoothies to quench our thirst. The resort was unlike any other I’ve been to. We stayed in a three-bedroom villa that was super comfy and homey. There’s so much to do in Key West but we managed to take an extra hour or two just to relax indoors. We stayed in Key West just for a weekend and managed to make the most of it. You can find out more below:

EXPERIENCE:

Since the roads are smaller in Key West, a really nice way to explore the town is bike riding. We said hi to the locals and stopped our bikes along vintage looking buildings to take pictures. How can you not?! Trust me, rent the bike and it will get you a lot farther than walking. You’ll see more of the town and get a good exercise as a bonus. During sunset we locked up our bikes and walked over to Mallory Square. It’s the hub for all the street performers.

EAT:

After our mini road trip from south Florida to Key West, we were so hungry. We saved our appetite to eat at The Cafe. As someone who eats a plant-based diet, I loved it! It has a super eclectic feel. The food is delicious and there’s a lot of varieties. Don’t forget to buy their giant cookie for dessert! The ingredients are actually pronounceable so you know you’re not putting crap in your body. You’re welcome.

Wearing: Beach dress from Tobi / Workout top from Zara/ Shoes from Nike

Key West Trip & Half Marathon was last modified: July 8th, 2017 by Jessica Borges

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About Me

Born in Brazil but raised in sunny South Florida for most of my life, I've always had a passion for discovering what else is out there beyond what's in front of me. Although I haven't been to nearly all the places I dream of going, I plan to (in style, of course). The passion for travel has been adapted to my style as well. I like being adventurous in that sense and trying different styles. Collections of Her is a place where I share my personal style, travels, and little bits of my life in the hopes of inspiring anyone who reads this blog. Thanks for following along my journey.